Full-featured timeclocks can be a valuable addition to your business. These systems automate everyday tasks like tracking the hours each employee works and calculating accrued benefits to streamline information and make businesses more efficient.

Timeclocks work by collecting employee time data and entering it into a database. Employees can record their time using a proximity card or by logging in to a computer-based system. From there, a manager can review and approve the information before it’s used to process payroll and create customized reports.

Timeclocks do more than record time
The actual term “timeclocks” doesn’t accurately describe everything the technology can do. A better term would be “time and attendance systems” since they allow you to integrate the employee data with other HR systems. But for simplicity and familiarity, many businesses and time and attendance system vendors still refer to these systems as “timeclocks.”

Typical timeclocks features
You’ll find many different timeclock features whether you run a small business in a single office or a large corporation with offices in several locations. Make sure to evaluate each feature and select the ones more important to you. A good way to start is to submit a free BuyerZone request for timeclocks quotes and let expert vendors learn about your business and suggest the features that are best for your business.

Smaller companies typically need basic timeclocks to provide routine time tracking of employee log-in/log-out times and recording of time off. These systems include:

• Schedule management – Allows supervisors to create and manage schedules for each employees, set rules for break times and company holidays, and track tardiness and patterns of absenteeism.
• Multiple data tools – Lets you use employee data to perform multiple accounting, auditing, and reporting responsibilities.
• Retroactive calculations – Corrects errors and updates changes in salary, benefits, or available time off.

In addition to these basic features, larger companies can purchase more robust timeclocks that provide complex labor management. This provides you with increased functionality and more robust reporting, allows you to manage labor data using sortable job characteristics, and even lets you track employee production. You can then use this data to help evaluate workforce productivity and determine future hiring needs.

Timeclocks are not one-size-fits-all systems. You can find specific products geared towards your specific industry. However, don’t let a “health care timeclock” or “construction timeclock” lure you into making a purchase. It’s more important that the product performs the way you need it to. A savvy vendor could always customize a standard system with the features you want, regardless of your industry.

Can timeclocks work with my current applications?
Above all else, the timeclock you consider must be compatible with your existing infrastructure including hardware and software. The vendors you meet with should carefully examine each aspect of your IT system to ensure there won’t be problems. After all, the timeclock’s functionality won’t be useful if it prevents you from working with everyday applications.

But don’t take the vendor’s word for it: find out for yourself. Most timeclocks companies will allow you to try out a free demonstration of the different applications before you buy. Make sure to test drive each feature that’s important to you and see if it helps improve the way you process and manage employee time.